First Starbucks Store & Starbucks Reserve Roastery

Recently, I traveled down to Seattle for a short weekend trip. Seattle is a great place to go for a few days as there are plenty of things to do. If you’re a Starbucks fan, I suggest visiting the First Starbucks Store & Starbucks Reserve Roastery. The Store and Roastery are a 20 minute walk from each other. The First Store is exactly that, and you will be able to experience a bit of Starbucks history. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery is a new kind of store, and is the first of its kind to open with more to follow. Furthermore, the Starbucks Reserve Roastery is a glimpse into the future of Starbucks. Due to the separate locations, I have broken this post into two parts. Part 1 features the First Starbucks store, and Part 2 features the world’s first Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room. Let us begin!

Part 1 – The Original Starbucks Store

Hard to believe that about 45 years ago, Starbucks was just one store. Even more amazing is that in 1990, Starbucks had only expanded to just under 50 stores. In the 1990’s Starbucks aggressively expanded and today, Starbucks has almost 24,500 stores worldwide.

Fun fact: In 1971, Starbucks opened its first store but this was not the Pike Place location featured in the picture below. No, the very first Starbucks store was originally located just down the street from the current Pike Place location. In 1976, Starbucks moved to 1912 Pike Place and this location is now considered the original store.

I suppose there is nothing too remarkable about this particular store, except for the store layout as there are no places to sit. Another thing that is different is the Starbucks logo. I prefer it, but I refuse to tell you why.

I assume that not much has changed in terms of the original store’s look and layout over the past 40 years. The biggest difference between the First Store and the typical Starbucks store of today is that there are no seating or tables. Overall, it’s not a particularly large location and to the left is merchandise. Sorry, no room for you!

Above, we have the marker identifying this hallowed ground.

Part 2 – Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room

In 2014, Starbucks opened the Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room located about 9 blocks from the first store. The address is 1124 Pike Street and is about a 20 minute walk. Please note that the walk from the First Store to the Roastery is uphill. As you can see, the facade and building itself are quite beautiful. I’m glad they stuck with the original mermaid. Again, I will not tell you why.

 

Inside, the space is huge and full of staff ready to guide you through this coffee odyssey that you’ve embarked on. I suppose a good way to describe this place is by comparing it to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, but for coffee.

The coffee bar!

A staff member conducting a coffee experiment. Mmmmmm….. Science!

If you’re a coffee nerd, then you will have died and gone to heaven. Here we have two fancy coffees to sample. It was a little pricey, about $20 USD for all that you see above.

There you have it, the First Starbucks Store & Starbucks Reserve Roastery.